Compelling commentary on children's health

Are You Tuning Your Kids Out?

A mom I follow on Twitter noted last night that her daughter
has requested a media-free period between 5-10 pm.No phones, no laptop, no TV and no electronics. Charming in its simplicity but it has
to make you think:Are parents too connected
and can our children sense it?

True confessions:I tune my family out more than I should.It’s wrong but I do.While I love my kids and the time I spend with them, I also enjoy the hangin’
at the Twitter water cooler or seeing what my favorite bloggers are posting.So compelling.

So what to do?

It’s pretty clear, actually.As a dad I have to set a good example for my kids and that
includes separating my Twitter/Blog time from my family time.Like so many things involving personal
change, it’s nothing more than raw discipline and the firm decision to do
what’s right.

If it’s not too late for resolutions, I plan to work on the
following:

Avoid my laptop between dinner and bedtime

Avoid using my iPhone when out and about with my family except for important calls

Never passively dismiss my kids for online activities

I really want my kids to a life that goes beyond online
social networks and that can only begin with truly living that life myself.I’ve got some work to do. How about you?

Comments

Are You Tuning Your Kids Out?

A mom I follow on Twitter noted last night that her daughter
has requested a media-free period between 5-10 pm.No phones, no laptop, no TV and no electronics. Charming in its simplicity but it has
to make you think:Are parents too connected
and can our children sense it?

True confessions:I tune my family out more than I should.It’s wrong but I do.While I love my kids and the time I spend with them, I also enjoy the hangin’
at the Twitter water cooler or seeing what my favorite bloggers are posting.So compelling.

So what to do?

It’s pretty clear, actually.As a dad I have to set a good example for my kids and that
includes separating my Twitter/Blog time from my family time.Like so many things involving personal
change, it’s nothing more than raw discipline and the firm decision to do
what’s right.

If it’s not too late for resolutions, I plan to work on the
following:

Avoid my laptop between dinner and bedtime

Avoid using my iPhone when out and about with my family except for important calls

Never passively dismiss my kids for online activities

I really want my kids to a life that goes beyond online
social networks and that can only begin with truly living that life myself.I’ve got some work to do. How about you?